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MDC official murdered by Zanu PF thugs as violence flares in Mudzi
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
May 28, 2012

Sekuru Cephas Magura, 67, the MDC Ward One chairperson in Mudzi North district died on Saturday after he was severely assaulted by Zanu PF supporters at Chimukoko Business Centre.

Seven other MDC activists were injured during the attack and are receiving treatment at a Harare hospital.

The Zanu PF mob was led by David Chimukoko, councillor for Ward 3.

The MDC Mashonaland East provincial chairperson, Hon. Piniel Denga and the organising secretary, Tapfumaneyi Muzoda on Saturday visited the Magura homestead to pay their respects and to get information of what transpired on the fateful day.

According to eyewitnesses, Sekuru Magura was hit with a stone and fell down before he was fatally assaulted by the Zanu PF thugs. Sekuru Magura was part of over 100 MDC members who had gathered for a police-sanctioned MDC rally.

Police details from Kotwa were present.

The Zanu PF mob leader, Chimukoko was in the company of Graciano Kazingizi, the Zanu PF Mudzi North youth chairperson, Gerald Nyatsinde, Patrick Mutepeya, Clement Simendi, John Karonga, George Katsande, the son to Mudzi West MP Aqualinah Katsande and Jevas Chiutsa, Ward 2 councillor who were leading the youth in the attack.

Newten Kachepa, the Zanu PF MP for Mudzi North provided the Zanu PF thugs with transport to Chimukoko.

Hon. Denga, described Saturday's event as sad and that lives had to be lost for supporting a political party.

"Why should this continue? We have had enough here in Mashonaland East and the police have to play their role. We are here assess what happened and to get an appreciation of whether there was any provocation. It is now very clear that wherever we are going to have a rally, Zanu PF will have an event close by with armed people ready to pounce on MDC supporters. It is sad, this is a sad loss to Mudzi North and Zimbabwe as a whole," Hon. Denga said.

The seven who were injured and are hospitalised are; Fungai Mahachi, the Mudzi North district vice chairperson, Mutsa Mushonga, ward 17 vice organising secretary, Robert Dombo, the director for elections, George Zhuwawo, the Ward 10 chairperson and Wilfred Mugadzaweta.

A young boy who was herding cattle in the area and saw what happened said Zanu PF youths armed with logs and sticks, attacked MDC members who were at the business centre.

"The old man was hit by a stone while running away from the attack. He fell down and the Zanu PF youths assaulted him while he lay down. They later carried him to the road, where they laid him by the side of the road and left him there, facedown and arms stretched out," the shocked young boy said.

Nyasha Magaso, the Ward 1 organising secretary said Zanu PF youths had barricaded the road leading to Nyamhondoro Primary School with logs.

"We managed to chase them away and proceeded to the venue of the rally. However, Zanu PF also had a gathering at the business centre, but the police assured us that the rally will proceed peacefully. So we did our rally, but we had to cut it short as Zanu PF youths started advancing towards our own gathering.

"We managed to get the women on the available vehicle and they went. We stayed put, but at this time, the Zanu PF supporters started surrounding us, the police ran away," said Magaso.

The Officer in Charge at Nyamapanda Police Station, Inspector Madzikanda and other police officers were at Chimukoko Business Centre on Sunday where investigations are underway.

Six people are reported to have been arrested but their names have been withheld.

Hon. Denga said he hoped the police would deal with the perpetrators of the violence decisively. "This is human life we are talking about. People where injured in this area, so it is our hope that the perpetrators will be arrested to avoid such violent tendencies in future. Zanu PF is indicating left and turning right and this is not proper. We want those involved in the violence to be arrested, prosecuted and justice to take place. We can not replace a lost life, but we certainly can change the face of our communities if we are tolerant and accepting other people's diversity," Hon. Denga.

Kubvoruno Choga, the district spokesperson for Mudzi North said the police from Kotwa were uncooperative as they were asked to come in and quell the imminent violent.

"We spoke to Assistant Inspector Magodo and Constable Kachidza at Kotwa police station and they refused to give us manpower claiming that they did not have a vehicle. I offered them a vehicle and they refused. They even went further to say if I was not attacked, why am I reporting the case and that the victims should make the report," he said.

Sekuru Magura's body is currently at Kotwa mortuary awaiting a post mortem to be done in Harare.

Sekuru Magura was described as a pillar of the MDC in the violent prone Mudzi district as he had remained unwavering in the support of the party.

He was elected ward treasurer at formation of the MDC in 1999 before being elected the chairperson in 2008, a post he held until the time of his death.

He was very instrumental in the MDC as he was a strong man who stood for his belief in delivering real change to the people of Zimbabwe.

Party supporters in Mudzi said Sekuru Magura remained resolute in his fight for real change despite his home being destroyed several times by Zanu PF hooligans.

The people of Mudzi North said they had lost a strong member in their area who held them together during the most difficult period in Zimbabwe's political turmoil.

He was a hard worker, a family man and a democrat who fended for not just his biological family but the MDC family as well.

Sekuru Magura is survived by his wife, Mabel Ndenga and six children.

Burial arrangements are yet to be finalised.

The MDC has always insisted that for Zimbabwe to experience peace, Zanu PF leaders and its followers must know the importance and sanctity of human life.

The MDC calls upon the police to investigate the murder and arrest all the known perpetrators to ensure justice takes place.

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